Sermon Tone Analysis

08 Leviticus

Ton of information in Leviticus 101 on chapter 8, including a really good introduction.

· Burnt Offering – to gain acceptance from God

· Meat / Grain Offering – showing thanks to God for His grace and mercy

· Peace Offering – we acknowledge that we have true joy and fulfillment in our lives!

· Sin Offering – a way to forgiveness and reconciliation unto God

· Trespass Offering – atonement or restitution for the sin

Aaron’s Consecration, 1 bullock, 2 rams, and the sprinkling of blood; it is a 7-day ceremony.

V.1-5 Having witnessed and participated in the sacrifices, the people should have some idea of the holiness of God and the need for a High Priest to take their offering before GOD.

God had already made it clear that not just anyone could approach Him.

Aaron and Miriam had learned this lesson as well as the Korah and company when they got swallowed up by the ground.

(Numbers 16).

They needed a High Priest.

“This is the thing which the LORD commanded to be done.”

This is / was a big deal and all the congregation needed to be witness to it.

Aaron and his sons are being set apart as Priest, as Kohanim.

(Kohen, singular)

More on the High Priest - https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/4195084/jewish/The-High-Priest-in-Jewish-Tradition.htm#The

V.6-13

V.6 Some would suggest that Moses did not actually wash Aaron and his sons.

I on the other hand would suggest that we take the Bible at face value here knowing that Jesus did actually was the feet of His disciples.

Furthermore, in expounding on Exodus 29, Rashi says the washing was a full emersion in water.

(A type of baptism I suppose).

Beyond this we cannot say to what extent they had to wash but in the end, it must represent a spiritual cleansing in order that they might go before God.

Furthermore, the cleansing of the priest reminds us of the virgin birth of Christ and how important it was the He be born of a virgin and thereby be sinless in nature and thus having not need of being cleansed.

“A God-man who knew no sin yet became sin for our sake.

A pure holy spotless Lamb who was the only One in heaven, in earth, or under the earth, who was able to bridge the gap between God and man!”

V.7-9 Contain the garments.

(This was covered in Exodus 28)

1. Broidered Coat – linen covering – Atoned for bloodshed.

For us, the fine white linen represents the purity and holiness of our High Priest Jesus Christ.

2. Robe – Almost like a poncho.

Atoned for evil speech.

§ Pomegranates and bells; fruit and testimony

3. Ephod – draped over the shoulders.

Apron?

– Atoned for idolatry.

The ephod bore the names of the 12 sons of Jacob – representing that the priest bore all of Israel on his shoulders.

§ Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

§ Isaiah 49:16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands;

§ Jesus bore the sins of the world on His shoulders.

4. Breastplate – this is a breastplate of judgment – sin will be judged - atoned for neglect of civil laws.

§ 12 stones representing the 12 tribes – 4 rows of 3 – names engraved, but not Levi and Joseph which were on the Ephod.

§ Exodus 28:29 “And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.”

5. Girdle – belt of sash around the waist – Atoned for impure thoughts of the heart.

Peter encourages us, “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” 1 Peter 1:13.

§ Further study will reveal two girdles.

One under the garments and the sash or curious girdle.

More on this in Leviticus.

6. Mitre – Head covering – atoned for arrogance of pride.

7. Linen Breaches (Not mentioned here) – Exodus 28:42 And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach: Atoned for sexual sins.

V.10-13 – Covers the anointing with oil.

V.10 – Moses used anointing oil to sanctify – (oil generally represents the Holy Spirit, for Christians)

· Sanctify = H#6942 = dedicate to service and loyalty to God, and involving proper conduct of any person or object so dedicated.

By way of reminder to you, the anointing oilis found in – Exodus 30:22-25 Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 23 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, 24 And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: 25 And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.

V.11-12 – Everything is sprinkled 7 times, 7 being the number for completion.

V.13 – Big difference between the clothes of the High priest and that of the regular priest.

V.14-17 – The Sin Offering – Seeking God’s forgiveness themselves

· The priest had to perform all the sacrifices for themselves as were done for the congregation.

Remember the process?

(It’s the same for us today)

· V.15 – So, again we see the Sin Offering being a means of reconciliation

· Recognize your need for forgiveness (sin offering).

· Seek God’s acceptance through His Son (burnt offering).

· Child of God, Joint Heirs, enjoy communion with God and all His saints (peace offering).

V.18-21 – Moses brings the first ram – it is a Burnt Offering

· V.18 – We see an act of confession by the laying on of their hands.

Confessing their own unworthiness before God and a desire to be accepted by Him.

V.22-29 – Aaron brings the second ram, the Ram of Consecration.

Consecration means a gift offering.

If you give something to God then it is consecrated to God.

It is a gift to God – you can’t take it back!

Let’s briefly consider V.23-24

And he slew it; and Moses took of the blood of it, and put it upon the tip of Aaron's right ear, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot.

24 And he brought Aaron's sons, and Moses put of the blood upon the tip of their right ear, and upon the thumbs of their right hands, and upon the great toes of their right feet: and Moses sprinkled the blood upon the altar round about.

Here, due to the consecration, we see…

· the ear should ever be listening for the voice of God – (tip nearest the middle)

· the hands ever given to the work of God – (thumb = strength)

· the feet continually walking the path God has laid before us - (balance is found in the toe)

o (Order my steps in thy word – Psalm 119:133)

· This consecration is applicable to all of Israel – Exodus 19:1 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.

Us – The Christian

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

This is where we need to be as well – surrendered.

Surrendering not only our hearts but our ears, our hands, and our feet.

· We should awaken each day listening for the voice of God

o Reminding ourselves of Lamentations 3:22-23 before the enemy begins his lies.

· Each morning, availing our hands to the work of the Lord

o James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

o Praise Him with our hands – Psalms 47:1 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

o Psalms 90:17 And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

o Psalms 119:48 My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

· Beginning each day walking in the Spirit and with the Lord

o In our case, always advancing the Gospel message of Jesus Christ

§ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.

Amen.

Matthew 28:19-20

o Galatians 5:16 – Walk in the Spirit

o Romans 10:15 …How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!